Should I Pick Up Jaylen Warren For Fantasy Football Week 16? Waiver Wire Outlook

Pittsburgh Steelers undrafted rookie running back Jaylen Warren has carved out a solid role in the offense over the course of the season running behind second-year starter Najee Harris.

The 24-year-old has been undervalued his whole career, starting off at Snow College before transferring to Utah State and wrapping up his career with a strong season at Oklahoma State.

Warren has held fantasy value this season as the handcuff to Harris but has not provided much standalone value in the 2022 season.

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What Did Jaylen Warren Do In Week 15?

In Week 15 against the Carolina Panthers, Warren strung together his strongest fantasy outing of his career. He carried the ball 11 times for 38 yards and his first career touchdown, adding a reception for 11 yards.

Warren was the clear second-fiddle to Najee Harris, who carried the ball 24 times for 86 yards and a score. While Harris has struggled this season and Warren has at times looked like the better running back, his role remains limited within a weak Pittsburgh offense.

What Is Jaylen Warren's Outlook For The Rest Of The Season?

Warren and the Steelers are at home against the Las Vegas Raiders this week, followed by a Week 17 road date with the divisional rival Baltimore Ravens. 

The Raiders have overall been one of the easiest matchups for any fantasy position this season (23rd in total points, 24th in total yards), while the Ravens (4th in total points, 10th in total yards) have not fared well for weak offenses like Pittsburgh.

Warren should see work in both games but should remain in a limited role behind Najee Harris. His chances of finding the end zone are much higher at home against Las Vegas than on the road against Baltimore.

Should I Pick Up Jaylen Warren?

While Warren has aspirations to be like the late, great Franco Harris, he can be left on waivers for the rest of the 2022 season.

If the matchups were reversed and they played against Baltimore in Week 16 and Vegas in Week 17, he would be a must-add with the potential to explode in Week 17 in the event of a Najee Harris injury. 

With Warren’s current limited role, he can’t be played in lineups this week. Even if Harris were to suffer an injury and cede the backfield snaps to Warren in Week 17, he would be tough to start in the fantasy championship as the inefficient Pittsburgh offense meets a strong Baltimore defense.

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